Shrimp Alfredo Recipe
This Italian-inspired shrimp alfredo recipe features succulent sautéed shrimp coated in a luscious Alfredo sauce!
Shrimp alfredo sauce is made by combining butter, garlic, cream, Parmesan cheese, and seasonings, resulting in a smooth and luxurious texture that coats each strand of pasta.
The perfectly seasoned shrimp adds a delicate and briny flavor that pairs beautifully with the richness of the sauce. This shrimp alfredo pasta with its creamy, savory, and seafood-infused goodness is a true crowd-pleaser.
Whether you make it for a special occasion or as a weeknight meal, this alfredo pasta will satisfy all your pasta cravings!
Shrimp Alfredo Recipe
This is an overview of all the ingredients and steps to make shrimp alfredo pasta. Refer to the recipe card below for details
Ingredients
- Shrimp: Peeled and deveined fresh or frozen shrimp. Medium or large sized
- Pasta: Spaghetti, fettuccine or penne
- Butter: Unsalted butter is the preferred option as there will be salt in the shrimp, pasta water and cheese
- Oil: Olive oil adds the right flavor and aroma
- Shallots: Shallots pair well with shrimp. Onion works too
- Garlic: Garlic must be added in moderation to allow the other ingredients to shine
- Cream: The recipe calls for creme fraiche. Heavy cream or fresh cream can be used too
- Cheese: Parmesan or parmigiano reggiano cheese is the best choice
- Spice mix: Chilli flakes, black pepper, thyme and oregano add flavor to the shrimp and sauce
How to Make Shrimp Alfredo
- Prep the shrimp: Clean thoroughly and dry the shrimp with paper towels
- Marinate the shrimp: Coat the shrimp with half of the spice mix and set aside for 10 minutes
- Prep aromatics: Mince the shallots and grate the garlic
- Boil water for pasta: Set a pot of water to boil. Add 1 tbsp salt to the water
- Sear the shrimp: Set a wide pan or skillet on medium flame. Sear the shrimp in olive oil for 2 minutes (medium size) or 3 minutes (large size) per side
- Make the alfredo sauce: Reduce the flame to low and add butter. Next sauté shallots, garlic and the remaining spices. Add 1/2 cup water and simmer for 5 minutes. Next add 1/2 cup heavy cream and simmer for 1 minute. Mix in the seared shrimp, grated cheese and switch off the flame
- Boil pasta: Meanwhile start cooking the pasta. Add the pasta to boiling water and mix it well. Let it cook 1-2 minutes less than the package instructions
- Cook pasta in the alfredo sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss well
- Garnish: Serve pasta with reserved chilli onion crisp, fresh parsley and grated cheese
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Substitutes
No thyme or oregano?
Sub with any preferred herb. Mixed Italian herbs work well
No parmesan cheese?
Sub with preferred cheese
No heavy cream?
Sub with fresh cream, half and half or béchamel sauce
Shrimp Alfredo Pasta Recipe
INGREDIENTS
- 250g/0.5 lb shrimp (or prawn)
- 110g/4 oz pasta (fettuccine, spaghetti or penne)
- 2 shallots
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup cheese (parmesan)
- 2 tbsp parsley (optional)
SPICE MIX
- 1/2 tsp chilli flakes
- 1/4 tsp black pepper powder
- 1 tsp thyme
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1/2 tsp salt
INSTRUCTIONS
PREP
- Remove the shells and devein the shrimp if necessary. Thaw if using frozen shrimp. Rinse and pat dry with paper towels or it might splatter oil
- Coat shrimp with half the spice mix and set aside for 5-10 minutes
- Mince 2 shallots, grate 3 cloves of garlic and 1/4 cup cheese
COOKING
- On medium flame, heat olive oil and fry shrimp for 2 minutes (medium size) or 3 minutes (large size) per side
- Meanwhile start cooking pasta in salted boiling water. Cook it for 1-3 minutes less than the package instructions
- Reduce flame to low and add 2 tbsp butter. Sauté shallots for 30 seconds
- Next sauté garlic and remaining spice mix for 30 seconds
- Add 1/2 cup water and simmer for 5 minutes
- When the sauce had reduced, add 1/2 cup heavy cream and simmer for 1 minute
- Mix in grated cheese and switch off the flame. Cooking further might curdle the sauce
- Add the shrimp and let it infuse with into the sauce
- Toss in cooked pasta, preferably slightly undercooked as it will continue to cook in the sauce
- Mix until the pasta is well coated and creamy. The sauce might seem watery but it will thicken as it cools
- Garnish with parsley and serve
NOTES
- This sauce also works as a side with vegetable, rice or mashed potatoes if you would like to skip the pasta
- To spice it up further, add 1 tsp chilli powder/cayenne powder to the spice mix
- Thyme or oregano: Sub with any preferred herb. Mixed Italian herbs work well too
- Parmesan cheese: Any preferred cheese
- Heavy cream: Fresh cream, half and half or béchamel sauce
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